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ETIQUETTE

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ETIQUETTE

Egawa Estate: Where Kamakura and Bakumatsu History Converge in Izu

One of Japan's oldest surviving private residences, Egawa Estate in Nirayama is where Bakumatsu reformer Egawa Tannan baked Japan's first bread and built the Nirayama Reverberatory Furnaces. A full-day guide combining Egawa-tei with Ganjojuin and Kokuseiji along the Hojo-era Nirayama trail.

Contents

MOKUJI

Egawa Estate

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Hojo Tokimasa's Nirayama

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One-Day Route

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FAQ

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Nirayama in Izu no Kuni city layers the heritage of Kamakura-era warlord Hojo Tokimasa and the Bakumatsu reformer Egawa Tannan in the same landscape.

Egawa Estate

Egawa-tei is designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan. Its main building is considered one of the oldest surviving private residences in Japan. The 36th head of the Egawa family, Egawa Tannan, baked Japan’s first bread here in 1854 as a western-style military ration. A short bicycle ride away stand the Nirayama Reverberatory Furnaces, a World Heritage Site that Tannan built to cast modern cannon.

Hojo Tokimasa’s Nirayama

The Hojo Clan Residence Site preserves archaeological traces of Tokimasa’s medieval manor. Ganjojuin Temple — founded by Tokimasa — houses five National Treasure Buddhist sculptures by Unkei. Kokuseiji Temple, founded by Ashikaga Takauji, offers moss-covered paths and unhurried silence.

One-Day Route

Arrive at Nirayama Station, rent a bicycle, then follow: Hojo Clan Residence Site (30 min) → Ganjojuin (60–90 min) → Kokuseiji (30 min) → Lunch → Egawa Estate (60–90 min) → Nirayama Reverberatory Furnaces (45 min).

FAQ

Egawa-tei hours? 9:00–17:00, closed Mondays, admission ¥500. Is Ganjojuin always open? Yes except during memorial services — check the official website before visiting.

Last updated: May 22, 2026

Nirayama Reverberatory Furnaces — a World Heritage Site built by Egawa Tannan, a short ride from Egawa-tei

Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu — center of the Kamakura shogunate, connected to Hojo Tokimasa

Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

Kenchoji — the great Zen temple of Kita-Kamakura preserving the spirit of the Kamakura era

Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

Engakuji — the representative Zen temple of Kamakura built by the Hojo clan

Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

Jufukuji — the Kamakura temple founded by Hojo Masako

Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

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